Gas scrubber for refrigerating apparatus



A. c. THAYER GAS SCRUBBER FOR REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 29, 1923 awuantoz JYZ an C. 7724;

Patented July 17. 1928.

' UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALLAN C. THAYER, 015 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO UBALl) R. LORANGER,

' DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

GAS SCRUIBBER FOR REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

Application filed January 29', 1923. Serial No. 615,672.

The invention relates to refrigerating systems and is more particularly concerne with a type which uses sulphur dioxide as the circulating medium.

One of the disadvantages of using sulphur formation of a corrosive substance in the system which attacks metallic parts of the compressor and valves with which it comes in contact. Any moisture which may be present in the system will react with the sulphur dioxide to form sulphurous acid and there is also likely to be formed traces of the more corrosive sulphuric acid. These corrosive substances react with the metallic parts of the compressor forming substances which may be carried by the circulating medium and, as a result, deposits are formed around the working parts which seriously interfere with their action.

The object of my invention is to prevent the corrosion in the system by removing the corrosive agent as fast as it is formed and for this purpose I have employed a gas scrubber which will absorb the impurities while allowing the circulating medium to pass freely therethrough.

In the drawings g Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a refrigerating system to which my improvement may be'applied; I

Figure 2 is a ongitudinal section through the gas scrubber.

As shown in Figure 1, A is a suitable compressor having an inlet A. and an outlet A. B represents the cooling coils for liquefying the circulating medium and is connected to the outlet A of the compressor. The liquid medium from the cooling coils is carried to a relief valve C, thence, through the coils D which are emerged in a brine solution and after passing through the coil, the medium is again in the form of vapor and is returned through the pipe E to the inlet A of the compressor. F represents a gas scrubber which is connected in the circulating system at some point where the circulating medium is in the gaseous form, preferably between the return line E and the inlet A of the com ressor.

The scrubber itse f may be made in a number of diflerent forms but as specifically shown it consists of a cylindrical body G provided at each end with the caps H and H which are preferably in threaded engagement therewith at I and I. J and J are tubes which are secured to the caps in a suitable manner and form the inlet and outlet connections for the scrubber and preferably the tubes are provided with unions K and K so that the scrubber may be removably connected into some point in the gas line of the system. A shut oflf valve L is placed in the return line E, a similar valve L placed in the pipe M connecting the inlet A with theunion K and a by-pass tube N is connected between the pipes E and N also controlled by shut off valves N, N Thus if it is desired to remove the scrubber the valves L and L may be closed and the valves N and N opened thereby allowing circulation to continue while the. scrubber is out of operation.

Thescrubber body G is provided at its outer ends with the screens 0 and 0 between which is placed a suitable material forreacting with the corrosive agent in the refrigerating medium. One material which may be used for. this purpose is iron ships or turnings S which may be packed between the screens to allow gas to pass therethrough and to present a large surface area for reactmg with the impurities. The screens are 'heldin place by washers P. and P which While I have shown the scrubber placed between the inlet of the compressor and the return line, it may be placed'in other positions where the refrigerating medium is in the gaseous form. I have preferred to put itgin the position shown to offer the maxi-- mum protection to the compressor. .However, since the gas is circulating rapidly system having a closed circuit and employ- 1 when the system is in operation the scrubber will have a beneficial effect when placed in other. positions.

What I claim as my invention is 1. The combination with a system for circulating a refrigerating medium, of means that all of the medium passes therethrough in normal circulation, and means in said scrubber for removing corrosive impurities associated with the refrigerating medium.

3. The combination with a refrigerating ing a circulating refrigerating medium, of

. a scrubber so arranged in said closed circuit that all of the medium passes therethrough in normal circulation, means in said 7 scrubber for chemically reacting with corroslve impurities assoclated with -sa1d medium, and means for preventing circulation of a -sol1d substance resulting from said chemical reaction.

4. The combinatio with a refrigerating system for circulating a medium containing sulphur dioxide, of means for removing a corrosive substance produced by the chemical action of the sulphur dioxide without removing the medium from the system.

5. The combination with a refrigerating 6. The combination with a refrigerating system employingsulphur dioxide as the circulating medium, of a scrubberconnected into said system contalning means for chemically reacting with the corrosive impurities associated with the sulphur dioxide whereby circulation of said impurities is prevented. f c

7. The combination with a refrigerating system employing sulphur dioxide as the circulating medium, of a scrubber connected into said system containing means for chemicallyreactin with the corrosive impurities associated with the sulphur dioxide, and means in said scrubber for preventing the circulation of solid material formed by said chemical reaction.

8. The combination with a refrigerating system employing sulphur dioxide as the circulating medium, of a" scrubber connected into said system. containing a substance reacting with the acid impurities associated with the sulphur dioxide, said scrubber being so arranged in said system that all of the medium in normal circulation comes into contact with said substance, and means for preventing circulation of the substances formed by said chemical reaction.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALLAN C. THAYER. 

